You can be a real hero if you hit zero

Before I properly launch this column, I’d like to thank Barry Peters, our editor, and all who supported last month’s National Zero Waste Week, a campaign that holds its roots firmly in Bury St Edmunds.

When I registered for St Edmundsbury’s Zero Waste Week challenge in 2008 and created The Rubbish Diet blog, I had no idea it would inspire the imaginations of others so much that a grassroots campaign would be born. Yet, in the hands of organisers myzerowaste.com, the event, now in its fifth year, is gaining support from householders, industry leaders and celebrities alike.

Waste has become a much discussed issue and its global environmental impact is now creating ripples amongst audiences who wouldn’t necessarily describe themselves as activists or environmentalists. Recently, I met the well-known actor Jeremy Irons who, in the making of the independent documentary Trashed, is encouraging us all to take the matter more seriously, asking questions of ourselves, as well as businesses and politicians, about how we deal with our country’s waste.

If you’re keen to make a difference, I’d recommend tackling the top five types of rubbish that fill your landfill bin and try to eliminate them. Call your district council to clarify what can be recycled, reused or composted, or visit www.suffolkrecycling.org.uk.

If food waste is a problem, check www.lovefoodhatewaste.com for advice on portion planning and using up leftovers. The creative types among you will also love scraphacker.com’s upcycling ideas. Then, further afield, keep the pressure on manufacturers, retailers and government to minimise packaging, food waste and improve recycling facilities nationally.

Right, with that ‘rubbish’ introduction over, I can declare this column well and truly launched. There’ll be other waste-talk to come, plus much more.